JD(S) to support BJP during floor test in Council, hints HDK

In all probability BJP leader D H Shankarmurthy will continue as the Legislative Council Chairman, despite the Congress moving a no-confidence motion against him, seeking his removal. The motion was admitted on June 13, and the council will vote on the same on June 15 (Thursday).

Ever since the Congress submitted a notice seeking to move a no-confidence motion against Shankarmurthy, there has been hectic lobbying between leaders of all three parties. The JD(S), which had emerged as the ‘kingmaker’ yet again had kept both the Congress and the BJP second guessing.

The Congress, which is in need of two additional votes had sought the JD(S)’s support, while the BJP has been hoping that it can continue enjoying the regional party’s support.
Shankarmurthy has been holding the post with the JD(S)’s support ever since the BJP lost its majority in the Upper House. 

After the motion was admitted, KPCC president and Home Minister G Parameshwara had met JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and sought his party’s support. Gowda said that his son H D Kumaraswamy would take a final call on the matter. Though the party leaders met on Tuesday to deliberate on the matter, the JD(S) did not announce its decision.

Also Read: Council Chairman gets hospitalised after Congress moves no-confidence motion against him

 On Wednesday, JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy finally hinted that his party would continue its support to the BJP. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said that his party had issued a whip to all its MLCs to be present in the House during the floor test.

“As of this moment, the JD(S) feels that it should continue its support to the BJP,” said Kumaraswamy.

However, this is not JD(S)’s final decision. The party might change its mind in the last minute. Party sources said that it would shift its loyalty to the Congress, if in case the ruling party agrees to sacrifice the Chairman post to JD(S) MLC Basavaraj Horatti. 

While the Congress has been hankering after the Chairman post, the JD(S) had agreed to extend its support only on the condition that Horatti be made the Chairman. Close to a handful of Congress MLCs are vying for the Chairman post. 

Also Read: JD(S)’ googly at Congress; make Horatti Council Chairman

• Legislative Council
• no-confidence motion
• floor test
• D H Shankarmurthy
• JD(S)
• BJP
• Congress
• Chairman post